The Best Athletic Shorts for Men to Buy in 2024, Tested by Editors

Best Overall Athletic Shorts

Lululemon Pace Breaker Lined Short 5″

Most Versatile Athletic Shorts

Vuori Kore Short 5″

ConsNot ideal if you prefer shorts with no liner

We love that the Kore Short is not limited to the gym. We found that it looked great in most casual settings, so you can wear them to grab coffee, lunch or groceries. Thanks to its moisture-wicking fabric, Vuori’s bestseller short held up during our sweaty workout sessions and dried super fast. There was also no sign of any kind of odor. Another bonus: this pair comes with built-in boxer-brief liner, which provides extra security to keep your nether regions comfortable and in place.

Length5″Material48% Recycled Polyester, 42% Polyester, 10% ElastanePocketsTwo slash pockets, one back pocket

Best Bounce-Free Athletic Shorts

Under Armour UA Launch Elite 7” Shorts

Best Bounce-Free Athletic Shorts

Under Armour UA Launch Elite 7” Shorts

ConsTends to sell out quickly

We know how inconvenient it can be for your belongings to bounce around in your shorts as you’re doing your laps. Under Armour’s athletic shorts address that issue by offering an expandable water-resistant waistband, which stores your phone and keeps it dry. We wore this pair while sprinting on the treadmill and everything stayed in place. They also feel like a second skin and have a four-way stretch, so we didn’t feel restricted at any point of our workout. It’s also worth noting that these shorts have a moisture-wicking fabric and an internal mesh liner that will keep you cool and comfortable when the temperatures begin to heat up.

Length7″Material88% Polyester, 12% ElastanePocketsWaistband pocket, two hand pockets

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Best Affordable Athletic Shorts

Gymshark Arrival Shorts

Best Affordable Athletic Shorts

Gymshark Arrival Shorts

ConsNot made with any back pockets

If you’re trying to get the most mileage out of your athletic shorts, Gymshark offers a bunch of affordable options that you can wear everyday. Take the UK brand’s Arrival Shorts. Thanks to its soft elastic drawcord, we were able to adjust this pair to fit our waist comfortably as we ran with no distractions. In addition to the gym, we’ve also worn them for errands and trails, which is a testament to their breathability and mobility.

Despite there being no liner, we didn’t experience any chafing, and our nether regions remained safe and secure. If you prefer a shorter length for running, this option may not be ideal. However, they’re a happy medium if you do a bit of everything in the gym from lifting to cardio.

Length7″Material100% PolyesterPocketsTwo side pockets

Most Stylish Athletic Shorts

ASRV Tetra-Lite 7” Linerless Short

Most Stylish Athletic Shorts

ASRV Tetra-Lite 7” Linerless Short

ConsGoes out of stock often

If you’re looking for a pair of athletic shorts that prioritizes style as much as it does function, we suggest checking out ASRV’s offering. They’re made with a technical blend of nylon and spandex, which stretches up to 6 times in every direction, so we found out that they can handle long distance runs. The material is also coated with a water-resistant shell, which has kept us dry during jogs in light rain.

Speaking of jogs, there’s reflective detailing on the front that provides extra visibility for nighttime runs. In terms of storage, you have two zippered pockets—one on the right side for small valuables that tend to bounce—and the other in the back to secure your phone. Although this pair doesn’t come with any liner, we didn’t feel our skin rubbing up against the fabric.

Length7″Material76% Nylon, 24% Spandex with Polygiene Antibacterial TechnologyPocketsLeft-side open pocket, right-side zip pocket, back zip pocket,

Best Lightweight Athletic Shorts